Lake Mead National Recreation Area spans 1.5 million acres of desert landscape with elevations ranging from 500 to 5,000 feet. The area offers minimal equestrian camping opportunities outside the Eight Mile Dispersed Camping area. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 110°F in July and August, making spring and fall the most suitable seasons for horse owners seeking to camp in this region.
What to do
Trail riding outside the recreation area: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area offers better trail access than Lake Mead for equestrians. A visitor notes, "[Red Rock] offers a nice and quick getaway from the city of Las Vegas. You get a better view of the nightsky and its quiet," making it a superior option for those traveling with horses.
Water activities at Katherine Landing: Located at the southern end of Lake Mead, this campground provides access to the water. One camper describes it as "a good walking distance to the pier with restaurant, grocery store, fishing and boat rentals. This is like a village in its own."
Stargazing at Government Wash: The minimal light pollution around Eight Mile Dispersed Camping creates excellent conditions for night sky viewing. A visitor noted, "Beautiful sunsets," while another mentions, "half to full cell service/wifi all the way to the water!"
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Las Vegas Bay Campground offers good separation between campsites. One camper reports, "Lot of palms and oleander that gave a lot of privacy. A short walk to the bathroom (hundred yards maybe?) but they were clean and the toilets were the flush kind, not pit kind."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The desert ecosystem supports diverse wildlife. At Arrowhead Cove, a camper observed: "The water is the clearest I've ever seen and the water fowl dive freely along the banks. There is a treasure trove of wildlife here apparent just from the birds singing. It was a cacophony of songbirds just before the sun went down."
Quiet camping without crowds: Road Runner Cove provides isolation for those seeking solitude. One visitor shared, "This place is hard to get to but worth it. It's very isolated and secluded and it surrounded by trees. If you can make it you can camp and have A whole lake to yourself."
What you should know
Rough road conditions: The access roads to many dispersed camping areas are challenging. At Eight Mile Dispersed Camping, a camper warned, "Wide dusty washboard road to access, 2-3 miles. Dumpsters at top by Northshore hwy but nothing later, no toilets or other facilities. I would never haul a trailer in there."
Weather extremes: Temperatures vary dramatically by season. A camper at Las Vegas Bay noted, "Temps were at 102 during the day and 70s at night," while another reported visiting in "late March which was a great time to stay. Low 70s during the day and maybe 59 at the coldest part of the nice."
Lake levels: Water access points have changed due to drought. One visitor observed, "It's a hike to get to the water from here you can't actually get down to the water so keep that in mind. For me I like the water so it's not an ideal Spot for me."
Tips for camping with families
Secure food from wildlife: Katherine Landing Campground provides a more structured environment for families with children. The campground features "Large sites with trees in between. Clean bathrooms. Showers and laundry on site. Water available."
Alternative horse facilities: For families camping with horses, consider nearby options rather than Lake Mead. Happy Trails Campground notes they are "Horse, pet & desert toy Friendly," with "HUGE rv spaces big enough for our rig, boat and atvs!"
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with facilities that serve children's needs. One camper at Las Vegas Bay reported, "The site was in the middle of a turn around, so we were in the 'donut center' so to speak and it was quiet, shaded and beautiful. Lot of palms and oleander that gave a lot of privacy."
Tips from RVers
Plan for boondocking: Searchlight BLM offers basic dispersed camping suitable for self-contained RVs. A visitor explains, "This is a good spot if you just need to stop for the night. It's a great alternative to a truck stop or a Walmart because a) apparently there's an ordinance and Vegas Walmarts don't allow overnight parking and b) it's so quiet here / no idling trucks all night."
Water conservation: With limited water access at dispersed sites, come prepared. A camper at Eight Mile notes, "While camping at Lake Mead, you can opt to stay in there campground that has electrical hookups, but we prefer to boondock. When you are inside Lake Mead you are able to use the dump station and freshwater to fill up your tanks at Boulder Beach campground."
Leveling challenges: Many sites require careful positioning. A camper at Katherine Landing reported, "My trailer is a 31 ft tt somewhat windy but trees break up the wind. 24 a night, 12 with senior access. Decent size sites, clean bathroom showers."
